Kumble’s mesmerising leg-spin

South Africa, 25 for none at lunch, looked like coasting to victory as they reached 106 for two at tea, but Kumble, who emerged the second highest Indian Test wicket-taker behind Kapil Dev, captured 4 for 56 and kept one end tight and leave the visitors struggling at 128 for six.

But Boucher hit quick boundaries off debutant left-arm spinner Murali Karthik to take the pressure away and dash Indian hopes for an improbable victory before he and Kallis completed the job.

Fittingly, the 23-year-old wicket-keeper struck the winning four off Kumble, who however, lacked adequate support at the other end with Karthik too inexperienced to keep the lid tight.

The Indians frittered away the advantage of a slender first innings lead through spineless batting before going down.

Kumble, who surpassed former left-arm spinner Bishan Bedi’s mark of 266 wickets — his tally stands at 270 — to raise hopes, but eventually the decision to go into the match with only two spinners by omitting off-spinner Nikhil Chopra proved to be a costly mistake.

Tendulkar was named the man-of-the-match for his all-round show early on, 97 and three wickets for 10 runs.

The South African run chase commenced on a sound note when openers Gary Kirsten (20 in 73 minutes) and Herschelle Gibbs put on a vital 51 run opening partnership.

Gibbs was the most assured of all top-order batsmen in playing spin and made a fine 46 with nine fours in 108 minutes to follow up his first innings effort of 47.

It was South Africa’s second Test win in India and fifth overall in 11 encounters between the two countries.

It was also the fourth time that a Test in india had ended inside three days — the earlier occasions being those against England at Kanpur in January 1952, against Pakistan at Delhi in October 1952 and against New Zealand at Bangalore in October 1995.

The second South African wicket fell at 76 in the post-lunch session and then four wickets were lost in a gripping period immediately after tea for the addition of only 21 runs with Kumble right on top.

Left-hander kirsten was caught down the legside by Nayan Mongia off Kumble, who also had Gibbs offer a tame catch to Rahul Dravid at forward short-leg. But skipper Hansie Cronje (13) was run out and all-rounder Lance Klusener (1) was caught superbly by Srinath at long-on off Kumble as both fell to desperate attempts after being kept quiet for a long spell.

Kumble, operating in tandem with Karthik, who bowled a defensive but effective leg-stump line from the other end, also trapped Shaun Pollock (5) leg before to set up a gripping finale.

Karthik had Pieter Strydom caught by Ganguly in the slips in between. But Boucher smashed two fours each in Karthik’s two successive overs to trigger the final push for victory.

Earlier, India — who had taken a 49-run first innings lead — commenced their second essay at 75 for five before being packed off in only 74 minutes and for the addition of 38 runs in 16.2 overs in the morning.